The 7 Steps to Accepting You Have Gum Disease
No one wants to have gum disease yet millions of people have it. If you’ve been diagnosed with periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease, then you’ll appreciate this simple seven step guide to accepting your diagnosis.
Step 1: Getting through the shock
It’s true that flossing and brushing regularly can help reduce your chances of gum disease, and it’s also true that visit California Dental Group for your regular dental cleaning can help protect you as well. However, no one is immune. If you generally have great oral hygiene then you may experience shock at your diagnosis.
Step 2: Working through your denial
Many people have a hard time believing their diagnosis. They think something must have gone wrong in the diagnostic progress. The truth is that there are numerous ways to diagnosis gum disease, including x-rays, measuring pocket depth, measuring the space between your gums and your teeth, and visual exams.
Step 3: Not letting your anger get the best of you
Surely if you have gum disease, someone didn’t do their job correctly! Perhaps you’ll blame the toothpaste company for not having a good enough formula, or perhaps you’ll even blame California Dental Group. This is a normal part of the process but remember that often no one is at fault – even you!
Step 4: Accepting the treatment that’s being offered
There are many ways to treat gum disease but you may not initially think you want to take them on. Often people believe that if they just start brushing and flossing better, or if they get dental exams on a more regular basis, then they don’t need treatment. Unfortunately, this isn’t accurate.
Step 5: Understanding that you’re not helpless
If it’s your first time being diagnosed with gum disease then you may feel helpless. You may feel as though you’ve done everything you could do to avoid it and now you’re at your wit’s end. Why bother brushing if this is the result? Remember that while you may have gum disease, if your oral hygiene were worse than your gum disease would likely be worse too.
Step 6: Taking action
Once you’ve realized the situation you’re really in, and have come to understand the options we provide to you at California Dental Group then you’re ready to take action! The right plan for you will vary based on where your teeth are today, how your gums are, and your medical history. We may want to fight it aggressively or we may start with less severe steps and see how you heal. Either way, we’ll discuss all your options with you and in the end you’ll be the one to make the decision.
Step 7: Enjoying victory!
The good news about periodontal disease is that it’s curable. This is not a chronic disease that you’re going to have to treat and deal with for the rest of your life. Instead, just let California Dental Group give you our best recommendations, follow them, and enjoy the victory of besting gum disease.
